Giving a useful baby gift that has originality and thoughtfulness can take some serious time and thought.  One idea we suggest is building a gift set around a singular concept or theme.  Doing this not only yields a creative and cohesive gift, but also leaves the recipient ultra-prepared and organized when it comes to that aspect of caring for baby.   Piecing together multiple items for a gift set can also be a really fun way to personalize a gift as you cater to registries, personal taste, and the overall need of new parents. 

Below you will find several ideas for practical and original baby gift sets… and depending on your price point, you can pick a couple of the items to pair together or give a mega-gift with all of the suggested items.  These gift sets are particularly handy to keep in mind as they can be found fairly easily, and can be kept gender neutral or made gender specific.

 

:: BEDTIME BUNDLE

 - Pajamas, Gowns, or Sleep Sacks

- Bedtime Baby Wash & Bedtime Baby Lotions

- Classic Baby Board Books

- Reference Book(s) About Sleeping Habits in Babies

 

* We love...

Hannah Anderson Pajamas & Johnson’s Bedtime Bath/Lotion

 

 

 

:: PICTURE PERFECT PRESENT

- Assortment of Frames for Nursery/House

- Credit for a Picture Session with a Favorite Photographer

- Baby Book

- Monthly Milestone Stickers

* We Love...

Picky Sticky Monthly Baby Stickers  

 

 

:: LAUNDRY NUTS AND BOLTS

- Baby Detergent

- Stain Removal Agents

- Infant Clothes Hangers

- Clothes Hamper

- Drying Rack

 

* We Love...

Dreft Baby Detergent & Maileg Animal Wooden Hangers

 

  

 

 

:: TEETHING TREASURES

 - Assortment of Teething Toys

 - Infant Pain Relieve

 - Teething Tablets

 - Teething Bibs

 

* We Love...

Vulli Teething Toys & Zo-Li Gummy Stick Gum Massagers &  Homeopathic Teething Tablets

 

 

:: FEEDING FUNDAMENTALS

- Bibs

- Bowls/Spoons

- Rice Cereal

- High Chair or Baby Seat

- Sippy Cups

- Baby Food Blender

 

* We Love...

Oxo Tot Feeding Products & Baby Brezza One-Step Baby Food Maker

 

 

:: SOOTHING SECRETS

- Baby Sling

- Assortment of Binkies

-  Swaddling Blankets

- Layette Set

- Crib Soother (Lights and Music) 

 

* We Love...

Oilo 3-Piece Layette Set & Fisher-Price Waterfall Peek-a Boo Soother

 

 

 

 :: NITTY-GRITTY CHANGING NECESSITIES

- Diapers

- Wipes

- Diaper Rash Ointment

- Changing Pad/Changing Pad Covers

- Diaper Pail

- Changing Mat                                   

 

* We Love...

Oilo Changing Pad Cover and Extra Toppers & Skip Hop Pronto Portable Changing Station Mat

 

 

 

If you’re out to find a stylish changing pad cover to compliment baby’s chic nursery…look no further!

Keep baby’s diaper changing station not only stylish, but sanitary with Oilo’s two-tiered cotton changing pads with quick release covers.  With sturdy, 100% cotton underpinning, all covers are designed to complement and coordinate with each of our motifs. Your favorite feature, however, is bound to be the soft sateen topper that allows you to easily maintain a clean surface without having to remove the entire cover!

 Modern Berries- Spring Green

 

Cobblestone-Taupe

Triple Band-Stone & Citron

 

 

 

Equipped with two Velcro strips, changing pad toppers fasten securely, and unfasten with ease.  Oilo’s innovative patent pending quick release topper system will revolutionize your diaper changing experience!

 

 STEP 1

 

 

STEP 2

 

 

  STEP 3

 

 

 

Covers fit standard 16” x 33” pads (sold separately), and ship standard with both a cover and one topper. Toppers are offered in multiple patterns and are available to purchase separately to keep your nursery stocked with plenty of extras!

 

Prices

 

Changing Pad Cover and Topper: $69

Additional Topper (1 Pack): $29

  

Available to Order Now! (See Here)

Estimated Date of Availability: January 20,  2011

Orders will be filled in the order they’re received… so ORDER NOW to get your Changing Pad Covers & Toppers as soon as they become available! 

 

Looking for a way to shield baby while they are nestled in their car carrier that provides privacy, protection, and comfort? If a shield that serves this function, and makes a fashionable statement at the same time is what you’re after…then, Oilo Car Seat Canopies are your solution!

We’re delighted to introduce Oilo Car Seat Canopies as one of our many new products!  Available in Cobblestone-Taupe and Modern Berries- Spring Green, our canopies are designed to protect baby from sunlight, dust, germs, and the elements.  They are ride-ready for all standard baby carriers, lightweight, and secured by both Velcro and an elasticized band for maximum convenience and functionality.  Our canopies are breathable cotton fabric, and like all of our products, they are designed and fabricated in the U.S.A!

COBBLESTONE-TAUPE

 

MODERN BERRIES-SPRING GREEN

 

Oilo Car Seat Canopies are not only a wonderful essential to buy for your own little one, but make a wonderful gift as well!

Price: $59

Available to Order Now! (See Here)

Estimated Date of Availability: February 20, 2011.

 *Orders will be filled in the order they’re received…so ORDER NOW to get your Car Seat Canopy as soon as it becomes available.

 

 

The other night, my mom and I had the pleasure of throwing my sister a baby shower.  It is not her first…or her second…this baby will be number three (all boys!).  Sure, traditionally, you only have a shower for your first …but, I say- why not for your third?  It was a perfect evening with some highlights worth sharing!

:: FOOD

We kept it simple and stuck to the good stuff—sweets!  The evening was enriched with a delectable chocolate cake, and a delicious watermelon raspberry salad. For any late-summer occasion, I highly recommend this refreshing (and easy) recipe!

Watermelon and Raspberry Salad

(Serves 4)

Ingredients:

One 4 ½ pound watermelon- peeled, seeded, & cut into cubes. 

One pint fresh raspberries. 

Juice of one lemon. 

¼ c. sugar.

Combine all ingredients.  Let stand 30 minutes- tossing occasionally until sugar is dissolved.  Serve chilled or at room temperature with vanilla ice cream, if desired.

Recipe from marthastewart.com   

 

:: ENTERTAINMENT

We’ve had our days of shower games galore…but for this occasion, we opted to keep the night more of an evening for socializing.  Plus, by baby number 3, what games are left?  However, we still felt the evening needed some kind of organized activity.

Since my sister’s baby remains nameless, and with the due date around the corner, we decided to focus an activity around trying to name her baby!  My search for ideas on the internet was unsuccessful.  So, I came up with a little to-do for generating some names for baby. If you’re looking for a shower idea…this one was a hit.

 

This game was simple and fun.  It gave present-time some spunk and ignited colorful conversations and insight about the guests.  Not only did we all leave the party amused, the mom of the hour left with 200+ names to get her name juices flowing!

 

:: GIFTS

One of the best parts of having a shower for baby #3 is that the mommy-to-be has been around the block and already owns a lot of stuff!  Gift time was particularly fun as we could indulge and step away from giving only the essentials.  One of the best new shower ideas I came away with?  Pajamas and comfortable options for mommy to wear post- baby! Love it!

Another perk of having a shower for #3, was that in the four short years since her last baby, endless products have hit the market that were not around for her older boys. It was a definitely a fun update on the latest gear! 

I gifted one of my all-time favorite baby products- Fisher Price’s Precious Planet Whale of a Play Tub. 

With this tub, baby can comfortably sit from infant to toddler stage, and mom can enjoy a hands-free bath time- without awkwardly juggling a slippery child!  The best part of this tub is that it has a removable “baby stopper” insert that prevents babies from slipping until they’re old enough to sit up on their own.  The play tub also comes with a removable toy bar to keep baby entertained.  This tub has high ranks across the boards, and having used it- I too highly recommend it!

Just the other day, some friends and I were having a conversation about what we are all currently reading.   We went through the group, with a range of response.    Several were currently engaged with “The Help,” another had just started to re-read “Pride and Prejudice,” while the rest were involved in a book club reading, “Room.”

The ladies turned to me for my current reading.  “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” I said.

Although the extent of my reading these days is laughable, the truth is—I cherish the time of day when the TV gets turned off, noisy toys are silenced, and I get to settle into a quiet space and open a book with my little boy.

I have a passion for reading with kids. Perhaps my love of this stems from the fact that formerly in life, I spent years as a full-time elementary school teacher.  However, I believe that most likely… the importance of reading was instilled in me early in life by my mother and grandmothers.  I was read to often as a child.  I received books as gifts, regularly visited libraries and bookstores, and had daily storytime.  Because of this, I now have a fondness for reading… which comes with a sweet sentiment of the times I spent listening to stories read to me by these wonderful women.

So, as a former teacher and product of being read to as a child… I'm going to suggest one thing that can potentially change your child’s life as a future reader.  Read with your child every day… no matter how young.  It has been proven time and time again that when kids are frequently read to from a young age, they will be more successful readers as adults.  No matter the age or stage of your child…be it eating the pages, or starting to read the pages themselves, no time is a bad time to read to a child.  Not only does it set a wonderful foundation for when they become readers themselves, it also serves as a precious time between a child and adult where they can engage, enjoy, and learn together.  

Luckily, there are thousands of wonderful books out there, for kids of all ages! The children’s books genre is full of classics as well as more recent treasures that are new on the market.

Because I am currently in the middle of toddlerhood- the types of books that have the most staying power are those with clear, bright illustrations and interactive capabilities.  Some of our current favorites are:

Dog by Matthew Van Fleet

 

Trucks (Bright Baby Series) by Roger Priddy

Goodnight, Baby:  Tuck all the Babies into their Beds by Ikids

 

The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle (and ALL other Eric Carle books!)

 

And a few new ones we can’t wait to get our hands on…

Dancing Feet! by Lindsey Craig

 

One Pup’s Up by Marsha Wilson Chall

 

Yummy, Yucky by Leslie Patricelli

 

Hip Hop by Catherine Hnatov

Keep in mind…it’s also powerful when kids see their parents reading for enjoyment, so pick up a good book and take a couple of minutes for yourself!

If the motto “Be Prepared” hadn’t already been taken by the Boy Scouts of America, it should belong to parents of small children!  Whether you’re the parent of tiny ones, or children well beyond toodlerhood- there’s always a good chance when you’re on the go that you’ll find yourself in a jam with the possibility of accidents, unfortunate messes, and an assortment of other unexpected events. 

Here are some of our suggestions for arming yourself and your diaper bag with lifesaving items that could make an ugly situation manageable.  From our experience, you’ll be glad you have them!

 ESSENTIALS:

Diapers & Wipes- Always bring a more of these than you think you’ll need! 

Food/ Drink- Bottles, sippy cups, water bottles, or juice boxes are essential to keeping your kids happy and hydrated on the go.  Also, having a snack or two is a great idea.  Hungry kids equal unhappy kids, and having a snack on hand just might prevent you from having to give in to another Happy Meal!

Changing Pad- When diaper changing can happen any and everywhere…this one is a necessity!

Extra Pair of Clothes/Underwear- You never know when the next spill, playtime mess, or accident might happen.  Always having a change of clothes with you can save your child from spending your outing in the nude!

Soothing Items- Prevent your own mini-disaster by tucking in your child’s soothing device. A blankie, pacifier, or stuffed animal is a must on-the-go!

 

EXTRAS YOU’LL BE GLAD YOU HAVE:

Bandaids- Even if your child doesn’t end up with an “ouch!” that requires a bandaid…chances are someone else’s little one will be in desperate need for one…and they’ll be glad (and impressed) that you have it!

Empty Plastic Bag- You’ll be grateful to have this for incidents that may warrant having a place to store yucky or wet clothes.

Travel Size Children’s Sunscreen- There is nothing worse than finding yourself outdoors in the sun longer than you expected, with an unprotected child left to sunburn.  Sunscreen is a great thing to have on hand any time of the year.

Baking Soda- Having a small ZIplock bag with some baking soda can arm you with a trick to help minimize the odor from unfortunate car seat accidents.  After your best attempt at cleanup, generously sprinkle baking soda over the entire area to help deodorize the situation until you get home.  It makes a car ride home more bearable…and it’s easy to vacuum up once you are back.

Small Package of Alcohol Free Wipes & Diaper Rash Ointment- You never know when a diaper rash might sneak up on you.  Alcohol free wipes are less painful on a diaper rash and being able to follow up with diaper rash cream can ultimately save a baby from an incredibly uncomfortable trek back home.

Light Jacket- Finding a light jacket that can be rolled up small into your bag is nice to have when unexpected weather strikes!  If your outing includes leaving the car…it’s good to have the option of keeping your child dry/warm.

Sugar!- A small dose of sugar (Smarties, suckers, etc) can sure come in handy when trying to coax, distract, or appease your child.  This little trick just might save you from an embarrassing meltdown!

 

It’s a good thing diaper bags are BIG!!

 

 

 

 

In the beginning conceptual stages of Oilo, we always knew that we wanted our designs to be clean and contemporary.  Our aim was to design shapes, styles, and colors that would set a radiant mood. One of our design goals was to create an abstract artistic effect to each of our collections, and we worked to make a sophisticated statement with every single design element. Creating core pieces for a nursery meant catering to a room that is a very personal and precious space- and we worked to honor that with every decision made.

The color Spring Green brought a real beginning to Oilo.  As one of our first concepts, it was a driving force in our dream of Oilo becoming a reality. We fell in love with the clean and fresh feeling it brought with it, and how the lemon lime citrus tone seemed to carry the vibrancy of being filtered through sunlight. Our inspiration was taken to a new level with this color, as it seemed to breathe everything we intended Oilo to be about. It was comfortable, it was clean, and it brought with it a real sense of serenity and relaxation.  As our collections evolved, we worked to recreate the same powerful impact with all of our colors.

As our design process continued, stripes came into play as we used large smart stripes as a contrasting accent. The large smart stripes became a prominent detail on our cushions, pillows, and skirts.  With each collection, we chose to use a simple, yet bold two-tone design, and our designs took on a very distinguished look and feel.  We continued with our use of contrasting accents as we added pipe details on our gliders, pillows, and bumpers. 

Our collections seemed to be creating their own harmonious atmosphere.  With each new collection, there was a strong design response…bold, yet simple- commanding, yet subtle. We felt the spilling over of delightful details that we could incorporate into other products…capitalizing on the scale of the design and the potential for creating so much more! Soon, we had lighting, pillows, bedding, wall art, gliders, and poufs- all added as part of our overall design.  The directions we found ourselves going with these concepts seemed endless! We started to see that with careful groupings of fabric patterns and accompanying groupings of furniture, our designs held the cards for creating a truly cohesive sanctuary.  We were excited as our designs all created different atmospheres… while at the same time, provided a consistent mood and tone perfect for a peaceful haven.

Our initial dreams for Oilo had come full circle…with the result being what you see in our collections today!